工程科学与技术2026，Vol.58Issue(1)：1-17,17.DOI:10.12454/j.jsuese.202500556
水利水电深部地下工程:地质环境、围岩灾变与技术挑战
Concept and Key Technical Challenges of Deep Underground Hydraulic and Hydropower Engineering
摘要
Abstract
Significance Advancing into the Earth's deep interior has become a key direction in China's current strategic scientific and technological devel-opment.As a crucial component of the national clean energy system,hydropower projects are extending their underground construction toward depths exceeding one kilometer and even deeper.These deep geological environments are typically characterized by extreme conditions such as high in-situ stress,elevated geothermal gradients,and high pore pressure.The associated disaster-inducing factors differ significantly from those in shallower zones,revealing the limitations of conventional engineering design methodologies and technical standards in such settings.Existing project statistics indicate that geological hazards,including rockbursts,spalling,and large deformations,occur frequently at depths greater than 600 meters.Moreover,the large-scale,complex spatial structure and high disturbance intensity of deep underground caverns amplify the risk of cascading failures in surrounding rock masses.Traditional depth-based classifications are no longer sufficient to fully characterize the high-energy geological environment encountered in deep hydraulic and hydropower projects.There is an urgent need to systematically redefine the boundaries of"deep"environments from the integrated perspective of stress,temperature,and pore pressure,and to establish corresponding disas-ter prevention and engineering design systems,thereby enhancing the scientific rigor and safety of deep underground hydropower construction. Progress Based on a systematic review of how the concept of"deep"is defined across industries,including mining,transportation,hydraulic and hydropower,this study examines its relevance in the context of hydraulic and hydropower engineering,in which the unique structural and envi-ronmental characteristics of large-scale underground hydraulic structures have been taken into account.From this perspective,the study defines the notion of"deep"in hydraulic and hydropower underground projects through three interrelated dimensions:the evolution of stress-dominated me-chanical regimes,the classification of high-temperature thermal hazards,and the progressive increase in pore pressure.Within this framework,under-ground spaces at depths of less than 600 meters,depths between 600 and 1 000 meters and depths exceeding 1 000 meters are respectively identified as conventionally controllable zones,hazard-intensified zones and ultra-deep complex zones,which require specialized technical assessment and jus-tification.Building on this refined classification,the study further investigated the critical challenges existing throughout the full life cycle of deep hydraulic and hydropower projects.There are five core technical directions,where significant breakthroughs are urgently needed:1)Precise explora-tion and real-time sensing during drilling:There is a need to develop directional drilling and synchronous coring technologies adapted to environ-ments with high geothermal gradients and high pore pressures.These technologies should be integrated with sensors capable of withstanding ex-treme conditions to enable real-time transmission of deep geological data and inversion of dynamic parameters,thereby providing high-resolution geological constraints for the layout and design of underground cavern groups;2)Design theory for large-scale deep-buried cavern groups:It is nec-essary to establish a coordinated design framework that incorporates tunnel axis optimization,spacing control,and structural synergy under true tri-axial stress conditions.This theoretical system aims to overcome the limitations of traditional two-dimensional assumptions and enhance the adapt-ability of design strategies to the challenges posed by deep geological environments;3)Engineering layout and intelligent construction:Advancing collaborative excavation technologies—such as stepwise and zoned excavation—alongside multi-parameter blasting optimization methods is essen-tial.These should be supported by targeted support systems,including high-performance rock bolts,sprayed concrete,and composite linings,to en-sure safe construction under conditions of high stress and elevated temperature;4)Disaster prevention and proactive control:For typical deep geo-logical hazards such as rockbursts,large deformations,and high-permeability seepage,it is critical to establish an integrated prevention and control framework based on the"source-pathway-receptor"model.This framework should incorporate technologies such as curtain grouting,pre-relief blast-ing,and zoned drainage and guidance systems to improve disaster response preparedness and promote coordinated stability between surrounding rock and supporting structures;5)Smart operation,maintenance,and emergency evacuation:The construction of a multi-parameter coupled sensing system and a digital twin platform is necessary to establish a closed-loop management mechanism encompassing early warning,emergency re-sponse,and post-event recovery.This system should integrate monitoring of thermal hazards,seepage,and deformation with the deployment of escape routes and emergency power systems,thus enabling proactive safety management over the long service life of deep underground hydraulic and hydropower facilities. Conclusions and Prospects As hydraulic and hydropower underground projects extend into kilometer-scale depths,the types of risks,their un-derlying mechanisms,and the corresponding prevention strategies in design,construction,and operation undergo fundamental transformation.Within this context,a depth of 600 meters can be considered the upper applicability limit of current technical systems,whereas 1 000 meters rep-resents a critical threshold that demands special attention.To address these challenges,a zoned and hierarchical engineering response framework should be established to provide more targeted solutions across five key technological domains.First,high-precision exploration and enhanced sensing of thermo-hydro-mechanical coupling parameters are essential to characterize deep geological environments accurately.Second,multi-objective collaborative design methods must be formulated under true triaxial stress conditions to improve structural adaptability.Third,intelli-gent construction equipment and processes should be developed,guided by multi-source information,to ensure safety and efficiency during exca-vation.Fourth,integrated risk-control strategies combining blockage,drainage,and pressure relief need to be deployed to achieve proactive disas-ter management.Fifth,smart operation and maintenance systems should be built on big-data platforms and predictive modeling to support long-term monitoring and resilience.In conclusion,these pathways are expected to substantially enhance engineering safety,operational reliability,and economic viability of deep underground hydraulic and hydropower projects under extreme geological conditions.In addition,they will provide replicable and transferable technical support for deep-earth resource development and the implementation of major infrastructure projects.关键词
水利水电工程/深部工程地质/地质环境/围岩灾变/技术挑战Key words
hydraulic and hydropower engineering/deep engineering geology/geological environment/surrounding rock catastrophe/technical challenges分类
数理科学引用本文复制引用
张世殊,赵小平..水利水电深部地下工程:地质环境、围岩灾变与技术挑战[J].工程科学与技术,2026,58(1):1-17,17.基金项目
国家自然科学基金项目(U22A20601 （）
U23B20145) （）
中国电建集团核心攻关项目(DJ-HXGG-2024-07) （DJ-HXGG-2024-07）
